Fundraising goal smashed

Louis Bedwell and Lions club president Viv Bonds

Published:09:00Monday 14 July 2014

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AN INTREPID student has smashed his ambitious fundraising target thanks to the help of a local club.

Last May, Louis Bedwell, 21 of Vale Road, set himself the goal of raising £10,000 for Cancer Research UK in just one year, and thanks to a £1,200 donation from the Hastings Lion Club, the young athlete has reached his target.

During the past year, Louis has undertaken a series of impressive feats, from treking nonstop for 30 hours to a 100km run.

Louis said: “I was blown away by the generosity of the Hastings Lions Club. They are a great organisation that carry out amazing work throughout the town.

“It’s a club full of humble and modest people, all of whom are not recognised enough for their great work!”

“The £10,000 couldn’t have been raised without the kind donations of the general public and especially the Hastings Lions Club.

The adventurous 21-year-old decided to attempt a year-long series of challenges, which he called The One Expedition, after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

He said “It was my way of dealing with what was going on, it combined everything I loved to do; which was great. But what was even better was the fact that it helped others too”.

Throughout the year Louis worked with companies both locally and internationally.

The student has been delivering talks about his challenges across the country and he has now been asked to a write a book about his endeavours.

Louis says that one of the main aims of The One Expedition was not only to raise £10,000 but to also encourage others to step outside of their comfort zone.

Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors and nurses to help beat cancer and it provides information about cancer to the public. For more information about Cancer Research UK visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.